A3B-L«ncistef Farming, Saturday, October 3, 1998 Pa. State Grange Prepares To (Continued from Page AST) Fears have arisen that perhaps formalization of the volunteer program would provide volunteers with some state authority that could override the rights of land owners against trespass. According to Courtney, "The ag community seems to have several questions about the program. Who is liable if there is damage to the farm, or if the citizen is hurt on the premises? “What recourse does a landow ner have if they say, ‘No trespass ing,’ and the monitor goes on the private land anyway? "What happens to the data when it is collected, and what happens if the data is collected to further a vendetta against the landowner (such as a hog, dairy, poultry or feedlot operation that is unpopular with a residential neighbor)? "The Grange feels it needs to formulate policy on the issue and will take a serious look at it at the state convention...” he said. Another issue of the Sub committee is the condition of landfills in Pennsylvania. (As an aside, accord ing to a report this week, Pennsylvania accepts 25 percent of the nation’s states’ exported waste into its landfills. With proximity to the East Coast megalopolis, and the lack of proper plan ning by the other states’ cities for waste manage ment, Pennsylvanians can make more money using a farm as a landfill than for food production.) According to Court ney, “Gov. Tom Ridge has put a moratorium on new landfills and expan sion permits, and has asked for the legislative imposition of a three year freeze on new per mits. The Grange plans to discuss this issue in depth at the conven tion,” he said. Paul Dawson, chair man of the state Grange Governmental Issues Committee, talked about three issues of concern for the committee consumer protection against misleading sol icitations to purchase goods hidden in so called “sweepstakes by mail” programs; achiev ing a lawsuit abuse reform act to discourage the waste in money and time on frivolous law suits; and providing some statewide compe tency and consistency with regards to local enforcement of the laws regarding the use of farm vehicle license plates. “Does the American public have the protec tion it needs to guard against mail and phone solicitations and from those who prey on inno cent citizens? Should we support tightening the laws against fraudu lent or near-fraudulent sweepstakes?” Dawson asked. Tackle Issues He said that with a potential Lawsuit Abuse Reform Act, "... there is not an official draft ... because the General Assembly is not going to introduce it until the next legislative session. “However, the Grange will look at developing policy at this con vention (OcL 22-28) so that the legislative director will have a clear position to represent the Grange ... .” Barbar Gross, chairman of the State Grange Family Issues Com mittee, said there were four issues of concern; school violence; a proposal to the state Public Utility Commission by a group of 20 small telephone companies to have their rates increases made auto matically through a tie with the' inflation index; the lack of required credentials for those [ home-schooling children and the' lack of confirmatory testing, and' consistency in rules (they vary from school district to school dis trict); and the lack of telecommu nications equipment in rural areas SERVIS-RHINO®~. 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